SOUTHERN WEIGHT LOSS NZ

SOUTHERN WEIGHT LOSS NZ We are weight loss practice based in Dunedin. We have regular clinics in Wanaka, Oamaru, Invercargill and Dunedin.

Our goal is to improve the understanding of the role that surgery plays in the management of obesity and help you achieve a healthier life.

09/03/2026

Many people tell me the same thing:

“I know I should exercise… but I hate the gym.”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
The good news is that you don’t need a gym to start improving your health.
Simple things like:
• walking your street
• climbing hills or stairs
• chair squats
• wall push-ups
• adding extra daily steps
can make a real difference.

For most people starting a weight loss journey, the goal isn’t intense workouts.
It’s starting small and being consistent.

Follow Southern Weight Loss for practical, evidence-based weight loss advice from a bariatric surgeon in Dunedin, Otago and Southland.





Have you ever finished a meal and still felt hungry?Many people living with obesity describe this exact experience.They ...
09/03/2026

Have you ever finished a meal and still felt hungry?
Many people living with obesity describe this exact experience.

They eat a normal meal… but the feeling of fullness doesn’t seem to last very long.

For years this was often explained as a lack of willpower.

However, research over the past two decades shows that hunger is strongly regulated by hormones and brain signals.
Several key hormones influence appetite:
• Ghrelin – often called the “hunger hormone,” which signals the brain that it’s time to eat
• Leptin – helps signal fullness and energy balance
• GLP-1 – a hormone released from the gut that helps people feel satisfied after eating
In some people these signals can become disrupted or amplified, meaning hunger may return sooner or feel more intense.

This is one of the reasons why long-term weight management can be challenging and why obesity is increasingly recognised as a complex medical condition involving hormones, metabolism and brain pathways.
Modern treatments for obesity aim to support these biological systems.

Depending on the individual, this may include structured lifestyle strategies, medications such as GLP-1 therapies, or bariatric surgery.

Understanding how the body regulates hunger can help people make sense of their experiences with weight.

If you're interested in learning more about the science of appetite, metabolism and modern obesity treatment, you're welcome to follow Southern Weight Loss for more educational posts.

Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Southern Weight Loss
Dunedin

This information is general health education only and is not individual medical advice. Treatment suitability varies between individuals and should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.









Many people describe the same experience.They aren’t physically hungry…but food is still on their mind.Thinking about th...
08/03/2026

Many people describe the same experience.
They aren’t physically hungry…

but food is still on their mind.

Thinking about the next meal.

Planning snacks.
Craving certain foods even after eating.
This experience is often called “food noise.”
Food noise happens when the brain’s appetite and reward systems are sending strong signals to eat, even when the body has enough energy.
Research over the past decade has shown that these signals are influenced by hormones such as ghrelin, leptin and GLP-1, as well as how the brain processes reward and fullness.
For some people living with obesity, these signals can be much louder, which can make long-term weight management extremely difficult.
Modern treatments for obesity increasingly aim to reduce these biological signals — helping people feel satisfied with less food and think about food less often.
Understanding how appetite works is an important step in managing weight long-term.

If you're interested in learning more about the science of appetite, metabolism and modern obesity treatment, you’re welcome to follow Southern Weight Loss for more educational posts.

Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Southern Weight Loss
Dunedin NZ
This information is general health education only and is not individual medical advice. Treatment suitability varies between individuals and should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Many people living with obesity recognise the same cycle.Lose weight through dieting.Maintain it for a while.Then slowly...
08/03/2026

Many people living with obesity recognise the same cycle.
Lose weight through dieting.

Maintain it for a while.

Then slowly regain it again.

For years this experience was often blamed on lack of willpower.

However, research now shows that the body often responds to weight loss by:
• increasing hunger signals
• slowing metabolism
• making food feel more rewarding
This biological response can make long-term weight loss difficult.
Because of this, obesity is increasingly recognised as a chronic medical condition, influenced by hormones, metabolism and how the brain regulates appetite.
Over the past decade, treatment options have expanded and may include lifestyle strategies, medications such as GLP-1 therapies, or bariatric surgery depending on the individual.

If you’re interested in understanding the science of weight loss and modern obesity treatment, you’re welcome to follow Southern Weight Loss for more educational posts.

Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Southern Weight Loss
Dunedin
This information is general health education only and is not individual medical advice. Treatment suitability varies between individuals and should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Many people have strong opinions about gastric bypass surgery.Often those views are based on things they’ve heard online...
06/03/2026

Many people have strong opinions about gastric bypass surgery.

Often those views are based on things they’ve heard online, from the media, or from someone who had surgery many years ago.
But in clinic I often hear the same myths repeated again and again.
One of the most common is that life after gastric bypass becomes extremely restrictive.
In reality, the goal of surgery is usually the opposite, to help the body regulate hunger and metabolism so that healthy eating becomes easier and more sustainable.
Gastric bypass works by changing how the gut and brain communicate.
Hormones involved in appetite, fullness, and blood sugar control change after surgery.
Because of these changes, many patients experience improvements in conditions such as:
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• sleep apnoea
• joint pain and mobility
Weight-loss surgery is not the right treatment for everyone, but for some people living with obesity it can be an effective long-term treatment option when combined with nutrition, physical activity, and ongoing follow-up.

Obesity is increasingly recognised as a chronic medical condition, and treatment may involve lifestyle strategies, medications, or surgery, depending on the individual.

If you’re interested in learning more about the realities of bariatric surgery, this carousel explains some of the most common myths I hear from patients.
👇 Out of curiosity: what’s the most surprising thing you’ve heard about weight-loss surgery?

Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Southern Weight Loss
Dunedin
This information is general health education only and is not individual medical advice. Treatment options should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Many people think GLP-1 medications stop working after a few months.In reality, what I often see in clinic is something ...
06/03/2026

Many people think GLP-1 medications stop working after a few months.
In reality, what I often see in clinic is something different.
Often the medication is started first, but the foundations that help it work well haven’t been built yet.
Those foundations usually include things like:
• adequate protein intake
• strength or resistance training
• good sleep and recovery
• sustainable eating habits
GLP-1 medications can be very helpful tools for managing obesity and metabolic health. However, they generally work best when they are part of a structured treatment plan, rather than used in isolation.
Think of the medication as a multiplier.
If the foundations are strong, the results tend to be stronger.
If the foundations are weak, progress can stall.

At Southern Weight Loss, we help people understand the full range of treatment options available for obesity, which may include lifestyle strategies, medications, and bariatric surgery, depending on the individual.

Obesity is a chronic medical condition, and the most effective treatments usually involve long-term support and follow-up.
If you are considering medical weight-loss treatment and would like to learn more about your options, you can discuss this with your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.
—
Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Southern Weight Loss
Dunedin
This information is general health education only and is not individual medical advice. Treatment options should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Obesity is a chronic medical condition.Like diabetes or high blood pressure, it usually requires long-term treatment.As ...
04/03/2026

Obesity is a chronic medical condition.

Like diabetes or high blood pressure, it usually requires long-term treatment.

As a bariatric surgeon with more than 10 years’ experience, one of the most important things I explain to patients is this: when treatment stops, the biology often returns.

Medications such as GLP-1 treatments work by reducing appetite signals and improving how the body regulates blood sugar. When they are stopped, hunger signals may return and weight regain can occur. These medicines manage the disease while they are being used.

Surgery, such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, changes gut hormones and appetite pathways more permanently. But surgery is still a tool. Long-term results depend on preparation, education, nutrition, physical activity and ongoing follow-up.

If you are seeking medical help for weight management, that is a positive step for your health. Obesity is a complex condition and evidence-based treatment can make a significant difference.

If you live in Dunedin, Otago or Southland and are exploring treatment options for obesity, learning about the long-term nature of treatment is an important place to start.

Southern Weight Loss
Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Dunedin | Otago | Southland

This post provides general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. All medical and surgical treatments carry risks and outcomes vary between individuals.

What should you expect after a gastric bypass?Most patients lose approximately:• 10–15% of total body weight in the firs...
04/03/2026

What should you expect after a gastric bypass?

Most patients lose approximately:
• 10–15% of total body weight in the first month
• 20–30% by 4 months
• 35–45% by 12–18 months
Weight loss is strongest in the first year, then gradually stabilises. That slowing is normal, not failure.

A gastric bypass works by reducing stomach size and changing gut hormones. It can improve type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea. However, long-term success depends on structured eating, adequate protein intake, strength training and lifelong follow-up.

Some patients experience dumping syndrome, particularly with sugary or highly refined foods. Persistent vomiting, fever, worsening abdominal pain, rapid heart rate or confusion require urgent medical assessment.

If you are considering gastric bypass surgery in Dunedin, Otago or Southland, understanding life after surgery is just as important as the procedure itself.

Obesity is a complex medical condition. Treatment should be evidence-based, supportive and locally accessible.

Southern Weight Loss
Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Dunedin | Otago | Southland

This post provides general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. All surgery carries risks. Outcomes and weight loss vary between individuals.

What really happens after a gastric sleeve?Most patients lose around:• 8–12% of total body weight at 1 month• 18–25% by ...
03/03/2026

What really happens after a gastric sleeve?

Most patients lose around:
• 8–12% of total body weight at 1 month
• 18–25% by 4 months
• Around 30–35% by 12–18 months

Weight loss is fastest early, then naturally slows. That slowing is normal physiology, not failure.
A gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) works by reducing stomach size and altering hunger hormones. It can improve type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, sleep apnoea and mobility, but long-term success depends on structured eating, adequate protein, strength training, and lifelong follow-up.

Serious complications are uncommon, but symptoms such as persistent vomiting, fever, worsening abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, or difficulty tolerating fluids require urgent medical review.

If you’re considering gastric sleeve surgery in Dunedin, Otago or Southland, education matters. Obesity is a medical condition, and treatment should be evidence-based, supportive and locally accessible.
Southern Weight Loss
Mr Mark Grant
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Dunedin | Otago | Southland
This information is general education only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Surgical outcomes and weight loss vary between individuals.

At 42, Mr MH weighed 208kg with a BMI over 64.A routine GP visit became the moment he decided things had to change.In No...
01/03/2026

At 42, Mr MH weighed 208kg with a BMI over 64.

A routine GP visit became the moment he decided things had to change.

In November 2022 he underwent a One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass with Mark Grant at Southern Weight Loss in Dunedin.
Nine months later:
• 69kg weight reduction
• BMI reduced to 35
• Significant improvement in hip and knee pain
• Able to walk long distances again
• Tolerating cardiovascular exercise comfortably
Bariatric surgery is a recognised medical treatment for chronic obesity. It works by changing gut hormones, appetite regulation and metabolism, not just stomach size.
Individual results vary. Surgery is not suitable for everyone and carries risks. Long-term follow-up, nutritional supplementation and lifestyle change are essential.

If you’re in Dunedin, Otago or Southland and want to understand your options, start with a conversation with your GP or a bariatric specialist. An initial consultation provides information, not obligation.

Most people associate Vitamin D with calcium and bone strength.But Vitamin D functions more like a hormone — with recept...
01/03/2026

Most people associate Vitamin D with calcium and bone strength.

But Vitamin D functions more like a hormone — with receptors found in immune cells, muscle tissue, the brain, heart and pancreas. It plays a broader role in overall metabolic health.
Beyond bones, adequate Vitamin D levels are associated with:
• Immune regulation, helping the immune system respond appropriately to infections
• Muscle strength and recovery, deficiency is linked with weakness and increased falls risk
• Mood and cognitive function, low levels have been associated with fatigue and low mood
• Metabolic health, Vitamin D receptors are involved in insulin signalling and inflammatory pathways

In the lower South Island, including Dunedin, Otago and Southland, winter UV exposure is limited. Vitamin D deficiency is therefore common.

People living with obesity are at higher risk of deficiency because Vitamin D is fat-soluble and can become sequestered in adipose tissue. After bariatric surgery, absorption and intake may also be reduced, making monitoring important.

It’s important to clarify:
Vitamin D is not a treatment for obesity, and supplementation is not a substitute for comprehensive medical care. However, correcting deficiency may support overall wellbeing and muscle function, which are important for long-term health and weight maintenance.
At Southern Weight Loss, Vitamin D levels are routinely checked as part of structured medical weight management and post-bariatric follow-up.
If you’re unsure about your levels, speak with your GP about appropriate testing and whether supplementation is indicated for you.
—
This post provides general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. Individual needs vary. Please consult your healthcare professional before starting supplements.

You don’t need to run to improve fitness after weight-loss surgery.One piece of advice I give all my bariatric patients ...
28/02/2026

You don’t need to run to improve fitness after weight-loss surgery.
One piece of advice I give all my bariatric patients is this:
incline walking is a very effective form of exercise, especially after surgery.
Why? Because research comparing incline walking with flat treadmill running shows that when effort is matched:
• Fitness improvements (heart rate and oxygen use) are similar
• Incline walking can result in a higher proportion of fat being used as fuel
• Joint impact is lower than running

📚 The evidence
• Wong & Davis, International Journal of Exercise Science (2025):
12% incline walking vs flat running, incline walking showed higher fat oxidation when calories were matched.
• Sato et al., International Journal of Exercise Science (2024):
High-incline walking vs level jogging, similar heart rate, oxygen consumption, and calorie burn.

This is why incline walking is often a sensible option after bariatric surgery, particularly for people with joint pain or who are rebuilding confidence with movement.
You don’t need intensity.
You need consistency.

Mark Grant
Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Southern Weight Loss
General information only. Exercise advice should be individualised.



Address

72 Newington Avenue, Maori Hill
Dunedin
9010

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+6434640970

Website

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